Wastewater Superintendent

WASTEWATER SUPERINTENDENT

REPORTS TO: Director of Public Works

EMPLOYEE STATUS: Regular

SCHEDULE: Full-time

STANDARD HOURS PER WEEK: 40.00

OVERTIME STATUS: Exempt
PRIMARY LOCATION: Kenedy, TX, 78119

TRAVEL: Up to 60% of the time

STARTING SALARY RANGE: $65,000+DOE

Summary/Objective:

The Wastewater Superintendent is responsible for overseeing the management, compliance, and operational efficiency of the city's wastewater treatment and collection systems. This position ensures the safe treatment and disposal of wastewater by managing daily operations, infrastructure maintenance, regulatory reporting, and emergency response to uphold public health and environmental standards. Key responsibilities include supervising personnel, ensuring compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, overseeing department budgets, and implementing preventative maintenance programs for wastewater treatment plants, lift stations, and collection systems. The Superintendent also leads the department's monitoring and reporting efforts, ensuring accurate documentation of effluent water quality testing, system performance, and maintenance activities. As the senior leader in wastewater operations, this position focuses on long-term infrastructure planning, regulatory compliance, and resource management, working closely with city leadership to ensure cost-effective and sustainable wastewater treatment solutions. Success in this role is measured by regulatory adherence, operational reliability, effective budgeting, and proactive system management. This job description outlines key responsibilities but is not exhaustive. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned or required as necessary.

Supervisory Status:

The Wastewater Superintendent at the City of Kenedy provides direct supervision to the Assistant Wastewater Superintendent and indirect supervision to four (4) wastewater personnel, including treatment plant operators and field staff. The Superintendent ensures regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and infrastructure reliability, overseeing all aspects of wastewater treatment, collection, and environmental protection. This position is responsible for training, performance evaluations, work order management, and emergency response coordination to maintain safe and effective wastewater operations.

Essential Functions:

• Oversee and manage the daily operations of the wastewater treatment plant and collection system, ensuring compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other regulatory standards.

• Supervise and evaluate department personnel, including the Assistant Wastewater Superintendent and wastewater operators, providing leadership, training, and performance oversight to maintain operational efficiency and safety.

• Develop and manage the department's operational budget, ensuring cost-effective use of personnel, equipment, and resources while maintaining compliance with municipal financial policies.

• Ensure regulatory compliance through accurate reporting and monitoring, including effluent quality testing, system performance tracking, and environmental protection measures, submitting reports to TCEQ and other agencies as required.

• Implement preventative maintenance programs for the wastewater treatment plant, lift stations, and collection system infrastructure, reducing system downtime, improving efficiency, and ensuring the longevity of city assets.

• Lead emergency response efforts, coordinating rapid mitigation and recovery for sewer backups, overflows, equipment failures, and severe weather-related incidents to minimize service disruptions and environmental impact.

Minimum Experience:

· A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in wastewater treatment, wastewater collection, or public works operations, with at least two (2) years in a supervisory or management role.

· Demonstrated ability to prepare regulatory reports, oversee effluent quality testing, and ensure compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations.

· A high school diploma or GED is required.

· Must hold a TCEQ Class B Wastewater Operator License at the time of hire.

· A valid Texas Class C driver's license.

Preferred Experience:

· Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Water Resource Management, Public Administration, or a related field is preferred and may substitute for two (2) years of required experience.

· TCEQ Class A Wastewater Operator License

· Valid Texas Commercial Driver's License

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Wastewater treatment and collection system operations, including biological treatment processes, sludge management, and lift station functionality.
• TCEQ, EPA, and municipal wastewater regulations, ensuring compliance with effluent discharge limits, reporting requirements, and environmental protection standards.
• Preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair techniques for wastewater treatment plants, pumps, lift stations, and sewer infrastructure.
• Budgeting, resource management, and procurement processes, ensuring efficient use of personnel, equipment, and operational funding.
• Emergency response protocols for sewer overflows, system failures, and weather-related incidents affecting wastewater infrastructure.

Skills in:

• Leadership and personnel management, supervising, training, and evaluating staff to ensure compliance and operational efficiency.
• Regulatory reporting and compliance monitoring, preparing documentation and submitting reports to TCEQ and other regulatory agencies.
• Analyzing and interpreting effluent quality data, ensuring proper treatment and compliance with discharge limits.
• Project management and scheduling, coordinating preventative maintenance programs and system upgrades.
• Effective communication and public relations, addressing public concerns, coordinating with city leadership, and ensuring transparency in wastewater services.

Ability to:

• Oversee the operation and maintenance of municipal wastewater treatment and collection systems, ensuring uninterrupted service and environmental compliance.
• Interpret and apply complex regulations, maintaining adherence to state and federal wastewater treatment and disposal laws.
• Develop and implement department budgets, managing costs while ensuring the long-term sustainability of infrastructure.
• Lead emergency response efforts, ensuring rapid resolution of system failures and compliance with public health regulations.
• Work independently and collaboratively, making informed decisions that align with city objectives and regulatory requirements.

Work Schedule:
The standard work schedule for the position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility required for evenings, weekends, and on-call duties. Due to the nature of municipal wastewater operations, both positions are subject to emergency callouts for sewer overflows, lift station failures, collection system blockages, treatment plant malfunctions, and other infrastructure emergencies that require immediate attention to prevent environmental contamination and ensure public health compliance. The role requires 24/7 on-call availability on a rotating or assigned basis, ensuring a rapid response to sewer backups, equipment failures, compliance violations, and severe weather events affecting the city's wastewater treatment and collection systems. This is an on-site position with no remote or hybrid work options, as physical presence is required for system monitoring, emergency response, regulatory compliance, and personnel oversight.

Work Environment:

The Wastewater Superintendent works in a combination of office (40%) and field environments (60%), overseeing daily operations, maintenance, and emergency response for the city's wastewater treatment and collection systems. The position requires frequent outdoor work (50%), exposing the employee to extreme temperatures, inclement weather, and high-humidity environments while inspecting treatment facilities, supervising repairs, or responding to system malfunctions. The role involves moderate to high noise levels (40%), particularly in treatment plants, lift stations, and around heavy equipment. Exposure to hazardous conditions (30%) is common, including chemical handling, confined spaces, wastewater exposure, and biohazards, necessitating strict adherence to safety protocols and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This position may require working in elevated areas (10%) or within confined spaces (15%), such as wastewater treatment tanks, lift station vaults, and underground sewer lines. Office-based duties